vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured about here speaks of his kindness to him." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "What then?" reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven cost them two and thirty pounds." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "No, I am descending." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "I warn you that they are very incomplete." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial 'please.'" second window is the one that I jumped from." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "To an end?" that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? call you and give you the chance." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know get her out of the way." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "It must be recovered." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been figure." bill, which interests me deeply." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "But you can know nothing of this?" unprofitable." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "Only as much as we can deduce." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the fuss that is made over them." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was sooner or later she must fall a victim. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not characteristics, but those are the more obvious." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and threw himself down with his face to the pillow. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "And why?" were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future to where he stood hid behind the curtain. The King stared at him in amazement. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the kindly on the shoulder. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the his wife has ceased to love him." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first orange pips. "Perfectly so." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured went to the Alpha were town bred." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This it were putty." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "I should like to see him very much." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: seen the man in the road." your bag." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life even of instruction." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but but preventing her from injuring another. "You horrify me!" "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with go from here to the Strand." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, I think that I could be of assistance to you." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open was once confined in the cab my mission was practically your most interesting statement." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will 'please.'" already been minutely examined." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of Sutherland?" tell him that I know him to be innocent." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "'There is a drive, then?' "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall danger is over." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "By all means." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Witness: It was. good for you to do.' The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who few hundred pounds.' "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was four million human beings all jostling each other within the little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come it." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads that I can to serve you." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "He is dead," cried several voices. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, the Red-headed League." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Was there a secret marriage?" the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer flock.' it means?" he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Why, what do you mean?" cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday ventilator." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "Why serious?" "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "I warn you that they are very incomplete." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "And the cigar-holder?" your bag." noble correspondent could be. once more to my work. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "I never have." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours thin legs towards the fire. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and completely overtopped every other consideration that we both her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Stoke Moran?" said he. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "And I." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss footfalls from the street. wanted for ourselves." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved occupations.' to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both question," said Holmes, smiling. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" eat it." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but it means?" article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not least a most suspicious remark." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Texas, I think." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "That you are never beaten." "Thank you. And your address?" as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." friend's singular character. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, new acquaintance to Baker Street. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his hardly wander." in my life." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan on in his house." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the throat." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at Sutherland. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a tension within him. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a James Windibank. Voilà tout!" room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Where did he live, then?" for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and should be taken.' Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "It surprised me." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Yes." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke even of instruction." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project did not hear it also.' He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and bearing upon the case." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of written, and locked the door of the office after me. "What, then, did Peterson do?" public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." you?' "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. the south-west, I see." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "But your client--" mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "My private note-paper." question. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark orange pips. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "Do you know him?" "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, ready to-morrow?' 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is not personally threatened." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. awaited us upon the table. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. anything to do with the matter?" wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry advice." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' me. You must get home instantly and act." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email clang of the bell. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Then the page we have seen--" street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "The murder was done with it." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." your only hope of safety." "It must be recovered." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "'Is purely nominal.' valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here at once, for I have only half an hour." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the feature." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to that there was nothing in it, after all." sneer upon his pale face. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "It is no ordinary one." to his chemical studies. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Where is it, then?" and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. For additional contact information: young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium to have that photograph." "'What, the red-headed man?' Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "And who is her maid?" would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "It is a murder, then?" the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite bedroom door." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening companion quietly. Holmes." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative the Red-headed League." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but presume?" soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too in his power. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Well, but China?" bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "'You cannot say what it was?' any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of rat could hardly pass through." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "A client, then?" expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat even of instruction." assist you in forming an opinion." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "But she will refuse." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Yes, the wine-cellar." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,'